Daniel Holmes on paid suspension amid child abuse allegation

Published: Monday, September 9, 2013 at 08:12 PM.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — School district officials have put a substitute teacher in charge of the Surfside Middle School band after the band director was charged with child abuse last week.

Daniel Holmes was suspended with pay Friday after the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, in a mutual investigation with Panama City Beach Police Department, concluded he had caused physical injuries to his minor-aged child on at least two separate occasions. The injuries required medical treatment, according to a Panama City Beach Police news release.

Sharon Michalick, director of human resourecs at the school district, said the school’s main focus is to make sure the transition for students will be as seamless as possible. She said school officials are organizing a band practice schedule for students.

“Obviously, this is a difficult time in the life of our school, but I can tell you that students are very supportive of Mr. Holmes and (the) continuity of band activities is our priority,” Principal Sue Harrell wrote in an email Monday night. “Band parents and faculty members are providing support for our band program at this time, and in the next few days, we will be engaged in strategic planning to ensure that it continues to thrive.”

“He was very candid, very honest I believe,” Husfelt said. “He said he knows he did something that was wrong, he did not intend for his child to get hurt, but he did do something he wished hadn’t happened.”

Husfelt emphasized Holmes said he is aware the child was hurt, though he did not intend to hurt the child.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — School district officials have put a substitute teacher in charge of the Surfside Middle School band after the band director was charged with child abuse last week.

Daniel Holmes was suspended with pay Friday after the Florida Department of Children and Family Services, in a mutual investigation with Panama City Beach Police Department, concluded he had caused physical injuries to his minor-aged child on at least two separate occasions. The injuries required medical treatment, according to a Panama City Beach Police news release.

Sharon Michalick, director of human resourecs at the school district, said the school’s main focus is to make sure the transition for students will be as seamless as possible. She said school officials are organizing a band practice schedule for students.

“Obviously, this is a difficult time in the life of our school, but I can tell you that students are very supportive of Mr. Holmes and (the) continuity of band activities is our priority,” Principal Sue Harrell wrote in an email Monday night. “Band parents and faculty members are providing support for our band program at this time, and in the next few days, we will be engaged in strategic planning to ensure that it continues to thrive.”

“He was very candid, very honest I believe,” Husfelt said. “He said he knows he did something that was wrong, he did not intend for his child to get hurt, but he did do something he wished hadn’t happened.”

Husfelt emphasized Holmes said he is aware the child was hurt, though he did not intend to hurt the child.

“It’s always troubling whenever any of our teachers or staff have personal problems that overflow into their workplace,” Husfelt said.

Husfelt said he will not make a recommendation to School Board members to suspend without pay or terminate Holmes until school district officials learn more from investigators.

Holmes was hired at Surfside in 2010 and makes an annual salary of $34,805 with supplement of $3,553.55.

NOTE: Clicking on hashtags in this stream may result in seeing adult material, such as photos or foul language, that appear elsewhere on Twitter. We do not endorse such material, but we do not have control over what items can be found in hashtag searches.